The following is a press release sent to us by the organizers of the tournament. DraftExpress salutes the initiative is expecting to have at least one staff member present.

WADSWORTH, OHIO---John McCarthy of McCarthy Sports Inc. in Delray Beach, Fla., and representatives from the city of Wadsworth, Ohio, are proud to announce the creation of the Collegiate Basketball Invitational to be held April 19-21, 2007.

The Collegiate Basketball Invitational (CBI) is a major national basketball event that will gather the finest 60 senior men's basketball players from all of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and Division III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The players will compete for three days in front of professional basketball representatives, agents (both domestic and abroad), and the national media.

“For me, this is a special day,” McCarthy said. "It is a thrill for me to announce the creation of the Collegiate Basketball Invitational. This new national basketball event is truly unique and creates a wonderful opportunity for players from NCAA Divisions II and III and the NAIA. At the same time, bringing the best of the best all to one site at one time also creates a tremendous opportunity for professional teams and agents.”

“The Collegiate Basketball Invitational will quickly become ‘the event’ for NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA players trying to get their shot at making it big in professional basketball. An invitation to participate in this prestigious event can be very valuable to players, as this will provide an opportunity on a truly national and international stage.”

The event will take place at Wadsworth High School and will consist of six teams of 10 players competing in a double elimination tournament. Two sessions of two games each will be played both Thursday and Friday, with the championship game taking place Saturday at noon. The CBI will conclude with an all-star game Saturday evening in front of a live, national television audience. Twenty participants will be selected to play in the game.

“The Collegiate Basketball Invitational is simply a great opportunity for all those involved – players, professional teams and agents,” said the George Karl, Head Coach of the NBA Denver Nuggets. “This event will bring together the best of the best from all of NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA. I have seen many quality players from these levels thrive in the NBA, and I expect to see players that go through the Collegiate Basketball Invitational make the jump to the NBA and other professional levels in the future.”

“The NABC Board of Directors is very pleased to support the Collegiate Basketball Invitational,” said Jim Haney, Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. “The event will provide opportunity and exposure for NCAA Divisions II and III and NAIA student-athletes that desire to play professional basketball after their collegiate careers are over.”

Basketball will not be the only event taking place during the CBI. The players will take part in a Tip-Off Banquet before the action begins Wednesday night. They will also be treated to in-room gifts, a team sponsor, and a host family with which the players will have lunch or dinner during their stay. Coaches, professional scouts and agents will also be entertained with VIP social events Thursday and Friday.

“Having an event of this caliber in Wadsworth reflects positively on our entire city. We all know that Wadsworth is an outstanding place to live and work,” Mayor of Wadsworth Jim Renacci said. “This event will allow us to give the entire nation a glimpse of this great city.”

McCarthy added his appreciation for Wadsworth, stating “We want to make this a great experience for all those involved. The city of Wadsworth, headed by Mayor Renacci and the Superintendent of Schools Dale Fortner, has been working hard to make sure that the CBI will be a first-class event. To bring something to life that combines my passion for people, college basketball and my hometown of Wadsworth, Ohio, is a dream come true to me.”